Chris Hokehttp://www.steelers.com/assets/nflimg/icon-article-link.gif (http://www.steelers.com/team/roster/chris-hoke/451dcc52-1ef8-4ce8-b004-adf97aab14d1/), has announced that he will retire after 11 seasons with Pittsburgh.

Originally signed as an undrafted rookie free agent out of Brigham Young University in 2001, Hoke spent the last 11 seasons as one of the most reliable backups on the Steelers’ defense. In 2004, Hoke had his most successful season, recording 27 tackles and one sack. In Hoke’s 18 career starts during the regular season, the Steelers had a record of 17-1.

There will be more from Hoke on Thursday after he talks about his retirement.

steelersbabex25

01-25-2012, 03:32 PM

He had a good season. Thanks for your services, Chris.

connecticutsteel

01-25-2012, 03:36 PM

Wish him all the best . A solid player and a solid person

Raleigh Steel

01-25-2012, 03:43 PM

Wish him all the best . A solid player and a solid person

ditto! enjoy your retirement chris!!!:tt02::tt02::tt02::tt02:

Real Deal Steel

01-25-2012, 04:05 PM

With this, now you see why I'm looking at that nose tackle from Mississippi. I don't know what's worse, our O-line need or our need at the nose tackle position.

With no pressure up the middle, Woodley and Harrison are not as effective.

BlitzburghRockCity

01-25-2012, 04:33 PM

Going to miss seeing Hokie out there. He wasn't flashy, never put up huge numbers but he did his job and could hold his own and then some. That sack dance he had was probably one of the funniest things I've ever seen!

HUNT4SEVEN

01-25-2012, 04:44 PM

He had a good season. Thanks for your services, Chris.

Yea what she said :tt02:

RIVERS OF STEEL

01-25-2012, 05:27 PM

Thanks Hokie. enjoy retirement.

Nolrog

01-25-2012, 06:37 PM

Not a surprise, but still sad to hear. Good luck Hokie.

TampaSteelGirl

01-26-2012, 05:50 AM

I sent him a tweet last night....He did us some great service all his days...God bless and I wish for good health and happines...FAntastic Steeler! :tt02:

OldSchool58

01-26-2012, 07:09 AM

Hoke, I hope you read this because you're one of my favorite Steelers from the past few years. You never played it up to the press or put yourself before your team. You just packed your lunch and went to work, period. Good luck in whatever you do man.

BlitzburghRockCity

01-26-2012, 08:42 AM

Chris Hoke never will forget his first start in the NFL, not after pulling on a uniform for just two games in his first three seasons. It was against undefeated New England, the defending Super Bowl champions, in 2004 at Heinz Field.

"That was the first game I started and first-ever big moment for me," the veteran Steelers nose tackle said Wednesday. "My mom and dad flew in, and my wife was there. To run out of that tunnel as a starter was a really big moment for me and my family."

Another arrived Wednesday when Hoke announced his retirement from football after 11 seasons with the Steelers. His final one in 2011 ended prematurely after six games because of a neck injury that subsequently required surgery.
"That played into it," Hoke said. "It's just time. It's the neck, I'll be 36 in April, it's all those things. It's just time."

Hoke said those things did not make it easier to hang it up one day after doctors officially cleared him to play football again.

"I've been blessed. It's been awesome and it's hard to walk away. I put my heart and soul into this thing for 11 years."

Hoke will go down as one of the franchises great backup players. He started only 18 regular-season games in those 11 seasons but had a good, long run for an undrafted player from Brigham Young -- and quite a record. The team's record in his 18 starts -- all at nose tackle for an injured Casey Hampton -- was 17-1. Those included his two starts for Hampton in 2011, victories against Tennessee and Jacksonville at Heinz Field, the final games of his career.

"Look at the way I came in," said Hoke, who arrived the same year they drafted Hampton in the first round in 2001 and leaves with two Super Bowl rings. "Who would have thought I'd be here 11 years?"

His fervent hope would be to return to his beloved BYU as a coach, although he does not know if that can happen. If not, he'd like to stay in Pittsburgh and is open to "everything."

"Right now, I just want to enjoy my family," said Hoke about wife Jaimee and their five children. "I want to see what's out there. I've built a lot of relationships over the years. I'd love to get involved in radio or TV; I think I could be great at that."

Hoke had a presser today and talked about how much he'll miss the team and being on the Steelers. Hampton, Smith, and Keisel all showed up to support him in his retirement. I was somewhat surprised Steve McLendon wasn't there.

coach

01-29-2012, 07:48 PM

I think the need for NT just became more important than O-line. The O-line comes with more interchangeable parts (as we unfrotunately found out these past two years). At NT, your options are much more limited.

KSSteelerfan

01-29-2012, 07:56 PM

I sent him a tweet last night....He did us some great service all his days...God bless and I wish for good health and happines...FAntastic Steeler! :tt02: